Hey there, I'm looking at a 2010 Prius as a cheaper car for my daughter. Car has 110k and they just had the dealer replace the head gasket (full gasket set, head inspected and resurfaced, new coolant, spark plugs, etc.). Apparently they noticed some knock while in reverse gear and though the dealer said it might be fine, they opted to do the whole thing. My question: Once the head gasket is repaired, shoudl it be good to go or is it likely to happen again? Its a nice old couple who are original owners and I talked to their service advisor - he said they've done absolutely every maintenance on time and its a great car that i shouldn't worry. Still, just trying to doble check and do my homework. Thanks.
I'd bet the EGR system needs to be cleaned. I think if you did that the car would be good for a long while. Maybe to mitigate potential oil burning in the future, flush the engine with BG EPR and change the oil, and run 44K through the fuel system to clean carbon build-up.
It is impossible to say. The factors would be: 1) How well was the block prepped? If someone used an abrasive disc to clean the block and the surface is now uneven, the head gasket will likely experience a premature failure. 2) Was the water pump replaced? If not, this can cause another head gasket failure since the water pumps are known to be flaky at high mileage. 3) Were the head bolts replaced? If not, was the length of the head bolts documented on the repair order (which confirms them to be viable for re-use)? Inadequate clamping force will cause a repeat failure or at the minimum, greatly reduce the lifespan of the new head gasket. 4) Was it confirmed that all pistons were at the same height (thus confirming no bent connecting rods)? If there is any connecting rod damage from the HG failure, the engine will eventually suffer a catastrophic failure and this may take a little while to show up. Since you are purchasing the car private party, the dealership's warranty (for the work) is unlikely to be transferable.
1, 3, and 4) I would assume and hope the dealership technician did everything outlined by the factory repair procedure and did it correctly. If a head gasket job comes back and is the fault of the tech, it will be a huge amount of time he eats without pay, or huge amount of labor hour being back flagged if someone else's doing it. Following procedures correctly also has its upside: the technician can up-sell an engine bottom end repair if carefully measuring piston height and finding out a rod is bent, for example. And if the procedure calls for new head bolts I doubt the tech will keep them new bolts for himself, head bolts ain't no jokes LOL! 2) I wouldn't worry about the water pump since the car is at 110k miles and OP can do a preventative maintenance on it when the car gets older (assuming if he purchases this car). Besides, do we have any documented water pump failure at this mileage yet? This depends on your luck! LOL J/K. If the head gasket job is done correctly and you are willing to do some more preventative maintenance like cleaning the ERG system front to back and stuff mikey T mentioned, the ICE should last for a while.
I recently did a head gasket job, so I can't yet comment on the longevity of it, but as stated above, it's all in the prep work. If everything was checked and prepared as it should have been, I wouldn't expect another problem any time soon. There are two different Toyota part numbers on head gaskets (don't remember off the top of my head) but the earlier part number may have played a role in the 3rd gen head gasket failure. They typically fail via the black coating wearing away at a coolant passage. I don't believe the newer part number is as susceptable to this. I'm obviously hoping for the best with mine but if I come to the point of needing to do the job again I will likely swap in a 4th gen engine.
Thanks all. Impossible to know how well the job was done at the dealer, but I did talk to the service advisor and he said they have not had one come back. as for gaskets, the part # was to a whole kit so not sure which one was in there. The did resurface the head and said the owner brought it in early. In the end, we did not get the car. Fully intended to, but the clear coat was farther gone than expected on the roof and I could tell the hood was going to go next, plus the rear black spoiler was faded. If it wasn't for the hood, I'd maybe wrap the roof black, but nothing much you can do overall for failing clear coat then a full repaint.
You can probably find a touch up guy to refinish all 3 items for $1k or less. It won’t be perfect but for a beater, it will suffice. I wouldn’t let the cosmetics stop you. On paper, this should be a good beater for your daughter.
Yes, it probably is. But between this, some concern about the head gasket job plus worry about a 10 year old battery it didn't add up for me. Might change my mind and go get it, but passed for now.
OK, as long as I have your ear....found another original owner car with 130k, but battery replaced under warranty at 125k. Would you rather have a new battery on these with unopened engine or a head gasket rapri and original battery? Are battery failures more common than the engine problems? Thanks all.
All of the hybrid batteries will eventually fail....guaranteed. It is just a matter of when. Not all of the engines will experience head gasket issues. With that said, dealing with the hybrid battery is much easier and more painless than the engine issue. For that reason, I would prefer the one with the repaired engine. But you will find different opinions on this.
Well, we we ended up with the one that had the head work done as the other one sold. Receipt from transaction posted below in case it helps anyone. Previous owner said it cost about 3k all in from the dealer. That's more than I would have paid, but glad it was done. The car drives perfectly and as new. 48 MPG on the way home with cruise set at 75 and various slowdowns. Still under California emissions warranty until 12/18, but I doubt the battery would give up the ghost before then. Thanks everyone for the help and opinions on this. 20190907_130537 by peakay posted Sep 7, 2019 at 1:19 PM
congrats! consider cleaning the egr circuit if it wasn't done. keep an eye on the oil level until your comfortable. change the tranny fluid, pump up the tires, check the air and cabin filters, 12v health, fob batteries, and make sure the mechanical keys work. all the best!
Thanks @bisco. All the stuff on your list has been done except the EGR cleaning. The car will be out of state and I don't have facilities to do this job myself right now. Is this somwsomet a garage or the dealer will do? Was also contemplating installing an oil catch can, but don't want to introduce anu possible new problems.
A shop can do the job, but I’d have a clean egr cooler ready to go to hand them if you go that route. They can be bought off of eBay or a salvage yard for less than $100. A catch can is a great idea for an install.
dealer will probably be a thousand dollars. any mech can do it, but you'd have to talk to them until you found someone willing to learn the whole process.
Oh boy, am on the trip to deliver the car up to Seattle and it definitely has an oil consumption problem. We *are* really putting it through its paces touring some hill country in northern cal and oregon, but it was a half quart+ down on day 1 after 500ish miles . Day 2 we drove less but ended at an airbnb up a steep road and when we got to the top there was visible smoke wafting out of the hood illuminated by the headlights. Anyone know a good service advisor with Toyota of Seattle? I want to get an oil consumption test and will be opening a case with Toyota as we ony have about 3 months before the 10 year expiration coverage for this problem.
Are you sure you don’t have an oil leak? Oil consumption will not cause smoke to pour out. FYI- there is no warranty extension on this issue.
Thank you. I thought I saw that there was a warranty extension to 10 years/150k on this issue? Not correct? Am on my phone in the car right now so can't look it up. Haven't thoroughly checked, but pretty sure there is no oil leak. I feel like I smell a bit of oil smell when the car is chugging up ling inclines.
Please try to make certain if that was SMOKE or STEAM coming out the front hood as they point to different sources: If steam-like vapor that tends to evaporate , then you should check the coolant in the cooling system for overheating, radiator leaks, hose leak that drips or sprays onto the exhaust manifold, etc. If smoke-like sooty, particulate matter, then the lubricating oil is clearly the most likely culprit. You may need to put the car on a hoist and remove the under-panel of plastic to carefully search for oily dirt underneath, any sign of carbonizing or oil burning on the exhaust manifold or other very hot parts, etc. Oil can drip down from places like the valve cover gasket and then be blown back along the engine-transmission assembly and drip down on things like the catalytic converter which are easily hot enough to char it and produce smoke. Good luck tracking this down!
I don't think so, 60K miles (or 60 months, whichever comes first) is one limit that comes to mind. Some TSB pdf's attached. The 10 years is maybe the brake booster warranty extension?
